Georgi's Nature Interpretation

I began this course ignorant of what being a nature interpreter consisted of. My early assumption was that the role of a nature interpreter was to just explain and guide people to their environment. In a sense yes this is what they do, but there is a whole different level of complexity and skill needed to be considered a proper nature interpreter that I never thought of.

Throughout this course, I have learnt a lot about myself and who I want to be. I have taken something from each unit and created my own code of ethics (Steven’s Code of Ethics as a Nature Interpreter):

1. Be knowledgeable. Understand who you really are as an interpreter, understand your audience, and constantly think of ways to make your audience’s experiences more meaningful. Learning about nature is important and all but remember that meaningful connections last longer than random facts.

2. Be flexible. Realize that everyone is different and learns differently. Utilize different skills to help people learn more efficiently.

3. Treat everyone with equity. It is important to include everyone, but it is also important to realize that people come from different privileges. Making a program to ensure that everyone can have the same experience should be the goal.

4. Be open to new ideas. Constantly explore with different lens as there are many perspectives when viewing a topic. Welcome other ideas and go along with it. See where it takes you.

5. Honesty and Integrity. Be reliable and responsible for your actions. Keep your word and be respectful of the people and nature around you.

These are just some code of ethics that I thought were important. Was there anything that I was missing from your list that you think I should incorporate?

From creating Steven’s Code of Ethics, I realize that these traits are transferable to the profession that I currently am in. I work as a physiotherapist assistant and constantly must work on my knowledge of the field. Although in my field being knowledgeable about the topic is considered more important, there is still a huge emphasis on understanding the patient. I find that being able to connect to the person and fully understanding them, optimizes the entire healing process. 

Being flexible is important for building strength and stability, allowing for greater range of motion. Oh, sorry for the wrong context of flexibility (a bad health joke, although it is important to remember to stretch your body), what I meant to say is that every patient is different and will need different programs and techniques to treat. 

As I live in Toronto, Ontario, I have met people from different races, varying in age and gender and have treated them all to the best of my ability. Regardless of what it might be, I always ensure to work to the best of my best abilities. 

As for the fourth code of ethics, I am constantly learning from other professionals that I work with, such as the chiropractor, the head physiotherapist, the athletic trainers, the message therapists, and even the patients themselves. It is important to remember that as human beings, we are not able to know everything. We must constantly communicate with each other and be open with the different perspectives that the other professions might look at the situation. 

And for the last code of ethics, it is important to constantly build trust with the patients as well as your peers. Knowing your limits and asking for help may seem scary, but the main goal is to always improve the condition of the patient. By not being truthful, the patient may not see any results or even worse, their injury might worsen.  

Although my field is not related to nature, I have always had a love for nature. This course has further my appreciation for nature and made me realize the importance of being able to interpret nature for others. Especially for those who have been less fortunate and unable to grasp the beauty of nature. Whether that be due to being non-privileged such as the story of the Boys & Girls Club of Mar Vista gardens with the low-income housing projects (Beck et al., 2018, p. 127), or the barriers that come with being a minority (Beck et al., 2018, p. 135-147), I want to be able to open their eyes to the beauty that nature has to offer.

Artist: Angus Maguire

However, I understand that this is easier said than done. Beck et al. (2018) states that due to economic, cultural, communication, lock of knowledge, and fear are possibilities to why minorities are discouraged to participate in interpretative programs. Hopefully by seeing more minorities get closer to nature, other minorities will see that exploring nature isn’t all that scary or hard, breaking down some of the barriers that Beck et al. (2018) has previously mentioned.

I am aware that this is a hard task, as most older generation minorities are stuck in their ways, but we are lucky to be living in a time where technology is thriving. The first step to getting people to explore and interpret nature is first by getting their interest. Before my grandparent’s past, they loved staying home and watching the Price Is Right. They didn’t like going outside as they were scared that they would not be able to communicate with others and be judged by the people around them. But if I had the knowledge and internet content back when I was younger, I could have shown them the beauty of nature through nature walks on YouTube.

I would have been able to let them listen to the sounds of what hiking through a forest would sound like. I could have got them intrigued with nature and possibly got them to explore it with me.

This course has been amazing and eye opening. I will use everything that I have learnt from this course to help encourage more people who have not been able to experience and appreciate nature the way that I have been able to! I look forward to reading all your blogs and for those who I won’t be able to reply to, have a great winter break!

-Steven

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage for a better world. Sagamore Publishing

Thank you for sharing your ethical code for nature interpretation. I really enjoyed reading about your progress throughout this semester and I was inspired by your insightful analysis of what it means to be an ethical interpreter.

I specifically appreciated that you put a spotlight on being flexible and treating everyone with equity. It is always important to keep in mind that everyone has their differences strengths and weaknesses. Thus, it is crucial to be inclusive of all learning styles so that everyone has the same opportunity to experience knowledge (Beck et al., 2018).

Since nature interpretation is so incredibly abstract, incorporating as many learning styles as possible is the key to encouraging people to partake in reconnecting with nature. For example, we could use literature such as these blog posts to connect with visual learners. Secondly, we could incorporate more urban parks and small nature refuges for tactile/kinesthetic learners. Lastly, we could use our podcast to appeal to all the auditory learners out there. 

These examples are just a few things I've learnt from this course...

What are some other ways we can encourage people with different learning styles to pick up nature interpretation?

Over the past few months I have learned a lot about the importance of nature interpretation theory and my responsibilities as an interpreter. I wanted to start by mentioning a formula for nature guiding, written by Enos Mills in 1920. Mills was one of the first individuals to use the term “interpret” when talking about the duties of a “nature guide” and he laid the groundwork for others like Freeman Tilden (1950s) to create the principles of interpretation that continue to guide interpreters to this day (Beck et al., 2018, pp 8, 83). Mills’ formula for good “nature guiding” was as follows:

• Appeal to the imagination and the reason. • Give flesh and blood to cold facts. • Make stories to breathe life into inanimate objects. • Deal with principles rather than isolated information. • Give biographies rather than classifications.

-(Beck et al. 2018, pp. 83)

I love these simple statements because they hold such relevance even to this day. I agree that for interpretation to be real, important, and moving, it should be imaginative, creative, and use stories and real-life examples to make programs interesting and engaging. Many of my motivations for being an interpreter come from my own learning styles and this type of work is very fulfilling for me. I personally am a visual learner and learn the best from hands on demonstrations and illustrations. I also learn much better from hearing someone explain topics instead of reading them in a textbook. As an interpreter, I will strive to make programs interesting and engaging through many different hands-on examples, stories, pictures, and easy to digest information. I will still accommodate other learning styles like making sure I have written options for those who learn better from the written word. I will try to get to know my groups if I can to present information in the most engaging way possible.

The rest of this post contains my core beliefs and motivations as an environmental interpreter, I am interested in hearing what motivates some of you to pursue nature interpretation.

1. Share information in an inclusive way.

(Photo by Emma Lippert)

I have had the privilege to explore many different natural spaces over the years and have been able to further my environmental education in university, but I have come to dislike some things about traditional post-secondary education. Many people I interact with are incredibly smart, but they struggle to share their knowledge with others in an inclusive way, so there is often a “gatekeeping” of information simply because these individuals can’t communicate their knowledge in an easy to digest format. I vow to share my knowledge with others in an inclusive way and not withhold information simply because I think I cannot explain it properly. The whole purpose of interpretation is to share the beauty of the world with others and help them gain a better understanding of how the world around them works.

2. Dispel fear of the outdoors.

(Photo by Emma Lippert)

I mentioned in my very first blog post that I started out with a tentative relationship with nature as many of the unknowns scared me. Weird insects, spiky plants, vast forests that you could get lost in, they all frightened me and because I hadn’t perfectly “mastered the outdoors” I was constantly discouraged from trying to enjoy it. Having role models like teachers and employers who have encouraged and pushed me to explore more of nature, I have grown to really appreciate all that it has to offer. I noticed that once I learned some facts about certain creatures or plants, I could better appreciate them and their role in life on earth and I know that I will continue to use my knowledge to help others be less afraid of nature and embrace it for all its complex beauty.

3. Fight for access to natural spaces and removal of systemic and structural barriers.

(Photo by Emma Lippert)

I believe that everyone should have access to nature interpretation activities and natural spaces. Much of this fear of nature can come from inadequate environmental education or barriers to accessing natural spaces. I think it is very disappointing to know that there are people who live so close to parks and natural spaces, but can’t access them due to financial, language, transportation, or accessibility barriers. If we can start to bring people to nature or nature to people more often, we could see more people becoming empowered by the environment and respecting it. Through increased affordable transportation options to parks, lower entrance fees, well maintained and accessible trails, multilingual signage, a diverse range of interpreters, and more events that include various marginalized communities, some of these barriers can be minimized (Beck et al., 2018, pp 134-137).

4. Creating community gardens and other environmental initiatives in urban settings

(photo of Ron Finley from https://worldwarzero.com/magazine/2020/06/eco-hero-ron-finley/)

In the future I hope to work with other non-profit organizations to help make natural spaces more accessible and approachable to a wider range of demographics, especially those who cannot afford to visit natural spaces. I believe there is great importance in community engagement and I think local initiatives such as community gardens or refurbishing local parks are really important in bringing nature to urban spaces and providing an educational opportunity.

Here is a link to an article and a short video about a group in Guelph who came together to improve a community garden’s compost system. https://guelph.ca/living/recreation/parks/community-and-pollinator-gardens/

I also highly suggest you watch this TED talk by Ron Finley on his work in South Central Los Angeles and how he is transforming urban food deserts into places where communities can come together, learn, and grow their own food. These are the kinds of initiatives that make me excited to work with the environment. https://www.ted.com/talks/ron_finley_a_guerrilla_gardener_in_south_central_la/transcript?language=en#t-2942 

5. Highlight Indigenous cultures and their importance.

(Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site. (Parks Canada) https://www.haidagwaiiobserver.com/news/reopening-of-gwaii-haanas-delayed-until-2021/)

Finally, I believe that for Canada to have any success in the future, we must make amends with Indigenous communities and work collaboratively with them to help interpret and protect our ecosystems and land. I have always admired Indigenous belief systems and how connected they are to the earth. If we could all just understand our connection to life on this planet, I think this world would be a much better place, but urbanization and colonization have separated us from this relationship. In future interpretation roles I will make sure to integrate Indigenous knowledge holders and their stories into talks to remind everyone of this important link between peoples.

Thank you for reading this far! It has been a pleasure getting to learn with you all and I wish you all the best in your future endeavours!

References

 I really enjoyed reading your blog post and I think you brought up some really important points.

 For starters, I really appreciate that you discussed sharing information in an inclusive way because I too found that a lot of students will gatekeep information from peers. As someone who likes to ask a lot of questions and have conversations about course content, I definitely advocate for sharing information. For nature interpretation, I think its important to share our knowledge from this course with others in order to encourage people to interact with nature in new ways. I think it should be part of all of our ethical agendas to teach others how to reconnect with nature and engage in a journey of self-discovery by relating to the environment.

As David Suzuki and Richard Louv discussed, it is important to lead people back towards nature and away from fully embracing technology as our new reality. One of the ways we can do this is as you mentioned; by creating community gardens and other environmental initiatives in urban settings. This way, even people living away from natural areas can still be exposed to nature so that they can gain an appreciation for it. This rediscovery of nature will hopefully lead to increased initiatives for rehabilitating and conserving nature.

Thanks for reading!

-Georgi

This is a really fun blog post to talk about! I am not exactly sure where to start because there are so many amazing things I know about nature just through experience and being surrounded by it. I wanted to do some research on this topic and the first thing that came up was that there are 12 times more trees on earth than stars in the Milky Way! This is pretty amazing if you ask me! Scientists estimate 200-400 billion stars within the galaxy while there is an estimated 1 trillion trees on earth. A paper that was published September 2015 discussed that there are approximately 3.4 trillion trees on earth. Of these trees, approximately 1.30 trillion exist in tropical and subtropical forests, with 0.74 trillion in boreal regions and 0.66 trillion in temperate regions. This was definitely an interesting read! 

Since you were wondering about underwater cave stories, I figured I would tell you one of mine. 

Since I was young, I was always fortunate enough to travel with my family and see new places. Once of these places was a fun trip to Mexico! While there, we visited a couple of cenote and I still remember how freezing cold the water was. It was such a stark contrast to the sweltering and humid heat of outside, that my body almost could not handle the shock of freezing water. It was most certainly the main thing holding me back from exploring the beautiful underwater caves for hours on end. 

Apart from the freezing water, I distinctly remember how beautiful the crystal clear water was, especially because it looked emerald green from above. Within the caves, there were a lot of small fish swimming about and I could not help but think of what else could be lurking around the corners. It has always been an irrational fear of mine to think there is some animal that is going to drag me away into the depths. This fear was especially hard to conquer when the cave got darker and darker the further in we went. 

I am glad that I did not let my fears get the best of me because the scenery was absolutely breathtaking inside the cenote. The whole thing felt like a surreal otherworldly experience with all the cool rock formations and colorful organisms living within. 

I truly hope that one day you will get to experience a cenote for yourself!

In this week’s Ares reading, Gray et al. (2001) define song as “any rhythmic repeated utterance, whether by a bird, a frog, an insect, a whale or a human being.” This means that music can be found all around us in nature, from the simplest cricket chirps to the complex songs of birds. Many animal species are known to participate in song as a form of language and expression. One of my favourite natural-born singers is the Humpback Whale.

Humpback Whales are extremely intelligent marine mammals that use rhythms similar to those in human songs. Often these marine mammals use phrases in their songs that are a few seconds long (Gray et al., 2001). They often repeat these phrases as human composers do. These songs are so complex that they are structured similarly to human songs (Gray et al., 2001). Additionally, Whales have a similar tone and timbre as many human sounds (Gray et al., 2001). If you’re interested, I will attach a YouTube link so you can hear some of their hit songs for yourself, definitely worth a listen!

https://youtu.be/UOkcvGPHsgk

Not only is there music in nature, but there is also nature in music. A great example is the traditional folk music in Finland which is used to express the significance of nature. Modern-day folk singers in Finland continue to use singing to communicate both the tangible and intangible meanings of nature. Their music helps the community understand nature and how it has and continues to shape human culture (Mallarach,2012). The songs Finnish folk singers perform usually describe myths about the natural world (Mallarach, 2012). Their songs also often describe traditional ways of living that are mutually beneficial for both humans and nature (Mallarach, 2012). As well, their songs often provide an extensive vocabulary for all different features of the natural world (Mallarach, 2012). The melody of these folk songs are often very unique and enchanting; I would encourage you to have a listen! Here’s one on YouTube that I found. If you’re interested, let me know what you think! Do you know of any other cultures with a similar musical practice?

https://youtu.be/vvxun84kTLI

Just as photos are good at capturing a moment in time visually, music is excellent in emotionally capturing a moment in time. When we listen back to songs, we often feel the same feelings as we previously did in a memory. In grade eleven, I took a course called Outdoor Education. Our exam was a four-day and three-night trip to Algonquin Provincial Park. In theory, this trip sounded fun, but boy, was it strenuous. Each day we would wake up at 5 am and leave the campsite by 5:30 am to start our eight-hour hike for the day, and most of the time, we didn’t sleep at night. Each day, we hiked for eight hours straight with one forty-five-minute break in-between to eat. Keep in mind we were backpacking with packs that weighed around 40lbs (which is quite challenging for a girl that is 5’4, 100 lb and EXTREMELY accident-prone). At one point, we approached the base of this massive hill with literally NO end in sight. We were already 7 hours in at this point, and we were all feeling physically and mentally exhausted. So doing what any sane person would, me and my two friends started singing The Climb by Miley Cyrus. Eventually, everyone started singing, and we slowly propelled ourselves to the top of that hill together. It sounds crazy now that I think about it, but that song really did allow everyone as a group to come together and make it to the top of the hill. That is one hill that I will never forget!

Until next time,

Karissa :)

References

Gray, P. M., Krause, B., Atema, J., Payne, R., Krumhansl, C., & Baptista, L. (2001). The music of nature and the nature of music. Science, 291(5501), 52-54.

First of all let me start off my saying the picture you drew is absolutely phenomenal and your story about singing ‘the climb’ while trekking up that horrible hill is truly iconic. Thank you for sharing, it really helped brighten my midterm-filled day. 

That actually reminds me of when I was running my cross country race at regionals and it just so happened to be the coldest and muddiest race I had ever ran. It was pretty apocalyptic and girls were falling left and right on the slippery terrain. Overall, it was a pretty miserable event and in the chaos of it all I couldn’t help but sing ‘clumsy’ by Fergie over and over again in my head. Particularity the part that goes “You got me trippin, oh stubblin...”, and now every time I hear that song, I am reminded of that cold muddy trail. Just like you, I have taken a completely unrelated pop song and associated it with nature in the weirdest way possible. 

Staying on topic, I listened to the cool whale clip you linked and I was surprised by how melodic a whale can be! After reading the Gray et al. (2001) paper, I can definitely start to understand how the song structure is similar to human song. On that note, I wonder if there are whales that sing out of tune, or if they are all gifted with great song-making abilities.

That is definitely something to ponder...

The following quote is filled with a lot to unpack. “There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity, and integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things. …. To think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it.”(Edward Hyams, Chapter 7, The Gifts of Interpretation) I interpret this quote to say there is nothing more special in an old item than a new item, however there is a unique memory with old items as they carry the knowledge of the past with them. If we do not acknowledge the past then we can’t fully understand the present. 

I truly enjoy this quote as I feel as though it shares a very important message. This message being that if we did not experience everything the world has in the past we would be nowhere close to where we are today. It is so important to keep records of the past and learn about the past to keep the lessons and failures in our minds so that we can use what we have learned in the future. This is why we have different historical landmarks, buildings and equipment on display in different areas of the world where they are found. It is important to recognize our history to see how far we have come. If we didn’t understand our history then we would not be shocked and excited when a new development is made. History is needed to allow humans to self reflect and to be grateful for what they have and how far we have come. 

Unpacking this quote in relation to nature interpretation, I believe, is a completely new question. This is because I feel as though our natural world history wasn’t fully kept. I am grateful that old buildings and artifacts that show our ancestors’ history were kept for everyone to learn from but I am curious about what was their first. Around the world we have some beautiful landmarks that I truly enjoy visiting and feeling the natural energy they exude but think of all the other landscapes that existed before everything man made was built. Is it possible that the most breathtaking natural wonder of the world was built on or destroyed? Is it possible that that history is lost? Rainforests and meadows are destroyed everyday for human needs. I sometimes wish that natural history was admired as much as man made history. 

One of my favourite protected landmarks that is natural but also man-made is the Cheltenham Badlands in Caledon, Ontario. If you have never seen them I highly suggest you take a trip to enjoy the beauty. The reason I am mentioning the badlands in coordination with this quote is that 100 years ago the badlands were a productive farmland, however it was poorly maintained so it was overgrazed and then eroded to create these red rolling hills. I believe this is an example that unpacks the quote because 100 years ago the badlands did not look like this, however the history of how the Cheltenham Badlands came to be is very important for understanding their beauty and significance. 

Actually, a couple of weekends ago I was in downtown Toronto on the balcony of a tall building and I was overwhelmed by the insane view of endless lights and man-made structures as far as I could see. To me, this seemed so alien and nowhere near the type of natural scenery I am used to being around in Guelph. In fact, I found it very challenging to imagine that at one point in time, the entire city of Toronto did not exist and in its place was some expression of nature. I wonder what kind of environment thrived in the place of all the industrialization we have today. 

As human populations continue to grow, we are increasingly encroaching on nature and transforming landscapes in order to suit our needs. As you mentioned, I think it is important to respect the land and the natural history it holds. We should continue to apply conservational efforts to the few natural areas we have left, and we should put more emphasis on learning about natural history. It would be a shame if in a couple of generations, people forget the natural beauty our planet used to have. 

As you likely already know, animals like dogs, cats, and probably others have been around humans for a long time. This has always fascinated me. Why and how did these animals come about to live alongside us? I am not sure, but I do know how much a lot of us appreciate their existence and their part in the natural world.

I have always had pets. So, I never truly realized how important they are for my mental health until my first year of university. I missed having pets around, so I ended up venturing out to the pet store and coming back to my room with two baby rats. Definitely not what I expected to return with, but better than I have ever imagined.

I understand that not everybody feels that pets are a help to their mental health, but I am sure everyone can appreciate, on some level, the benefits of having something that helps them with their mental health. For a lot of people, that is their pet. My rats and dogs have always been a huge part of keeping myself mentally healthy. They give me purpose and bring me joy. When I am feeling down, I know there is always a little face I can look at that will make me feel better. I know there is always someone wanting to play ball or explore the world together.

Wildlife is another aspect of nature that many of us have come to appreciate a lot. Personally, I find thinking about wildlife and all of its beauty brings me a lot of peace. There are endless aspects of it. It is a never ending gift that we have all been given. It is something we can always think about and when we get the chance, explore. We can read books about it and learn. We can take a walk in the park or through a forest and observe it. We can swim in the lakes or oceans if we are fortunate enough to get the opportunity. I have found all of these things have also been so good for my mental health, and are important for us to preserve given the consequences associated with rising emissions.

Interactions with animals are a really interesting aspect of nature. The bonds we create with pets are life long. They love us, and we love them. Wildlife and it’s diversity is a beautiful thing that contributes to many environmental processes. Unfortunately, there are a lot of animals out there being abused and a lot of wildlife suffering because of the actions of humans. I want to take some time to share some ways that we can help support and take care of these aspects of nature. 

1. If you know of an animal being mistreated, report it. 2. If you find a wild animal struggling, call a wildlife rescue. 3. To help preserve wildlife, take steps to protect the environment and reduce emissions (for example… driving less, less airplane travel, and a plant based diet).

Although nowhere near official, my pets have always been a great emotional support for me during stressful times. Thus, when I moved away to live alone, I felt like a big part of my support system was gone. For starters, my dog made sure that I went on at least 2 walks everyday, regardless of the weather or how tired I was feeling. Without my dog pushing me to go out, I have definitely been neglecting my time outside. 

I kind of did the same thing as you, in the sense that I went out and got myself some more pets to live with me because it was a familiar comfort. Although not the same as a cat or a dog, I still value the presence of my lizard and fish. 

In terms of wildlife, I also agree that it is very important that we try to protect and preserve them as much as possible. In addition to all the helpful tips you stated, I would also like to add that it is important to educate people who do not know any better on how to treat wildlife. 

I live in an area where there are a lot of coyotes concentrated in a small woodland area that is frequented by many people and flanked by ravine homes. While talking to these people on my walks, there are some that express their hatred towards coyotes and wish that they were eradicated. I do my best to educate these people and tell them that coyotes are not a pest/nuisance and that they are just trying to survive while we etch further into their habitats. 

Hope that’s a helpful tip! 

Nature is the gift that keeps giving. Every little detail that we experience while interpreting nature can be perceived through creative eyes and expressed artistically. Some of the greatest pieces of art are based on scenic nature scenes or animal encounters. Photography, music, painting and so many other artistic talents embrace what nature provides us and shapes it into our own visions. Art gives individuals the ability to interpret what they see, feel, and appreciate from nature and put these aspects into one arrangement. 

The greatest form of nature interpretation through art for me is photography. Photography is an art that allows us to capture moments of distress and/or peace. The most horrid storms or the best sunsets can be captured in a million different ways through a lens and allows us as observers to interpret. I live in a place that sees the odd thunderstorm or snowstorm, however, through photography I am able to interpret other environments such as how dangerous tornadoes are or how hot the desert is, all from photos. 

“Interpretation should instil in people the ability, and the desire, to sense beauty in their surroundings- to provide spiritual uplift and to encourage resource preservation” (Beck et. al, 2018)

The “gift of beauty” is embraced by all who appreciate the artistic aspects of nature. I have seen this quote a few times this week, between readings and blog posts. I think it sets a certain tone for how we use art to interpret nature. It is important for us to appreciate the beauty that nature surrounds us with and to feel privileged to have it. However, it is also essential to preserve and respect our environment. I interpret the “gift of beauty” as a sense of gratefulness for nature’s artistry and its ability to ‘spiritually uplift’.

I attached some of my favourite photos that I believe interpret nature. For me, these photos each create a different feeling and tell so much without saying a word. I hope you have the same experience!     

These photos were both taken in Northern Ontario. The summer photo is of Lake Timiskaming.. The same lake as the tragic disaster that took place in 1978 as we learned this week… 

Beck, L., Cable, T.T., & Knudson. D.M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage for a better world. Sagamore-Venture.

When looking at the second picture you posted of the snowy river, I can tell this photograph has a different artistic vibe than the sunset. To me, this one inspires adventure and invites the onlooker to want to see what lies around the bend. While reading this post as well as others, it is really interesting to see where mindsets overlap, and where they diverge on the topic of art in natural interpretation. 

This leads me to think about the uniqueness and individuality that each expression of art has for every person. It is cool to think that my impression of these photos is something that is unique to me, while other people will have their own unique interpretation. In art, I don’t think there is a right or wrong, a beautiful or ugly, but rather a multitude of opinions and perspectives. 

I think this where the true art lies, because it is amazing to see how one snap shot of nature can have such a varying spectrum of impact on viewers. I’d be really interested to hear what you guys think about our individual ability to appreciate or reject art in nature. 

I have spent some time reflecting on my own privilege and how it has helped me get to where I am today. Privilege is having access to goods, resources, or other opportunities that someone from a different social class may not have. For example;

- I am english speaking and caucasian - I am in my last semester of my undergrad degree and was able to take a reduced course load without worrying about the extra cost - I plan on attending teacher’s college and will finish both degrees with zero debt - I am an only child from a double-income household - I have my own car - I have a reoccurring full-time summer job that pays above minimum wage - I have cystic fibrosis but am able to afford all of the medical expenses due to my parents both having government jobs with amazing health benefits

Privilege plays an integral part within nature interpretation from both the instructors and the participants perspective. Someone who comes from a family who can afford to pay for their university and/or college education would have more access to jobs in Ontario Parks than someone from a less fortunate family who cannot afford a post-secondary education. From there stems more opportunities for the higher educated person to become a nature interpreter or guide. All of the senior staff at my park, including the discovery guide, either have or are on track to have 1 or more post-secondary degrees. The visitors that attend the nature programs also have privilege, primarily in the form of money. In order to access the park, people must either pay for a day pass or have a reservation for a campsite. A day fee at Ontario Parks is $15 and a campsite for 1 night with power is between $43-$60 depending on the park. That’s a lot of money to walk around and rent a small plot of dirt!! These fees act as barriers that prevent less privileged people from accessing the park and nature interpretation programs.

From a geographical standpoint, privilege also plays a huge role in where nature interpretation can be accessed. For example, someone living in Sudbury could easily go on a backcountry trip in Killarney, a day trip to Fairbank, or go for long nature walk at the local conservation area: all of which have nature interpretation programs. Someone living in a lower income neighbourhood of Toronto with limited urban green space would have far less nature to access and likely be excluded from nature interpretation programs outside of the city. Even if the family had a means of transportation to parks and conservation areas, the costly entry fee would likely impact their ability to attend the programs.

To combat the inequitable access to nature interpretation, I believe there should be more programs that bring nature to people instead of it being the other way around. By bringing free programs to schools or community centres, more people would be able to learn about the natural environment.

It is definitely a privilege to be able to visit these locations, because a 15 dollar ticket to access a trail could instead be put towards a warm meal or something else essential for living. Recently, I went on a camping trip with some friends of mine for about a week. Since we are all student, we had to be cost efficient and choose a camp spot on the lower end of expenses. While we all still had an amazing time, I can only begin to imagine how much more amazing it would have been if we camped at a more expensive place such as Algonquin Park. When I was younger, I camped there with my family and the difference in experience is notable. 

My mild disappointment got me thinking about people who do not have the privilege to go camping at all. This made me really sad because as I mentioned, camping has always been a fun experience for me which I wish everyone could have. I agree with you in saying that nature should be more accessible to people because it will encourage conservation and appreciation for our Earth.

Thanks for reading!